My Son wants to join Air Force I dont think its good idea. Help me out.

Funeral Director, Used Car Salesman

 

I was in the Marine Corps. As a result of that I have a broken body, PTSD, and am divorced. The Chair Force(joking!) seems by far the safest of all the branches. I have a few good friends who are in the AF and from what they've told me, other than being 6 years active duty right off the bat, it's all gravy. Boot camp was a joke(their words). I've seen where they live, which is extremely nicer than the WWII era barracks I lived in. They don't fight you to keep you from taking college courses while on active duty, and you can be a Fly Boy! It's also very easy to move up the ranks on the enlisted side. The commands actually care about you as a person and worry about your well being. If he wants to serve and you can't change his mind, push him towards the AF.

 

Our son graduated college and then went into the air force. Our son was a pilot and was going in to fly. He found out that wasn't what he was going to be doing, so he wanted out. It took 3 weeks but they left him out. If it was any other branch he would have been stuck there until his years were served. The Air Force only wants people who want to be there. He needs to do what he wants to do or he will hold it against you for the rest of your life.

Just to let you know our son was a airline pilot for US Air and didn't like it being away from his wife and children. He is now a Flight Test engineer on Chinook helicopters for Boeing and loves it.

Someone said something about college graduates not being able to get jobs. Every graduate that I know has a great job. Our daughter also has a great job and graduated from college. All there friends have to and have great jobs. Sometimes you need to move where the jobs are.

 

Relax, it's just the Air Force. It's not like he's joining the military.

But seriously, it can't hurt him. Only good will come of it as long as he takes an active part in his personal and professional development.

 

Actually I did what's called Aerospace Physiology. I trained Aircrew members and Special Operators on the dangers of high altitude flight. We operate the Centifuge, Altitude Chamber and Barany Chair. Delta Steve, now you have something to be confused about.

 

you dont just become a recruiter, you have a normal AF job for a few years first.. thats why i asked him what i asked him.

 

just one thing, its actually one of the hardest branches to make rank per the enlisted side of the house. Thats coming from alot of folks ive worked with that have crossed over from Navy/Army/Coast Guard. I have heard that it is pretty tough in the Corps as well. The AF is a great choice if you have the right mindset for it. I loved my 7 Years in, no regrets.

 

This. If he is really going into cyber-security, that's a hot field right now. Probably for the foreseeable future as well. He doesn't have to wait to go to college until after he gets out. The military will pay for college while he is in as well. With the Air Force, it's probably a lot easier to do that than another service like the Navy, Army or Marines since they're relatively stable once they're stationed. It's harder to work and go to college at the same time but it's not impossible. Also, if he gets his degree in a similar field to his experience (e.g. Computer Science or a focus on Computer Security), he'll graduate with years of experience. It'll give him a huge leg up on the competition.

Cyber security is also a big field in the Federal Government as well. With time in the Air Force, he'll be a more attractive candidate for a federal DOD position and all his military service time will count toward federal benefits (vacation time, retirement, etc). DOD likes candidates with military experience because you're used to the culture. My military service helped me in securing my job even though it was unrelated to my computer science degree (I was an aviation electrician in the Navy).

 

I spent 6 years in the Air Force from 83-89. Not much going on in the world then. I'll say that I agree, if anyone is thinking about going into the military, AF is the way to go. By comparison we had it very easy. I knew it wasn't for me the second I stepped off the bus in Texas, but I'm glad that I did it.

 

It is extremely hard to move up the ranks in the Marine Corps. It may be hard to move up the ranks in the AF as well. I can only comment on what my buddies have said and how quickly they moved up. Which they said was easy and very quick compared to us.

 

I'm not going to fill this thread with anymore, "I heard ............", nonsense. Sure the AF is doing cutbacks, so is every branch. It has been going on for awhile. As long as you son isn't a dirtbag, and advances at the normal rate, he shouldn't have to worry about being discharged. They aren't just walking up to random dudes cutting them. Their taking the poor performers, fattys, trouble makers, etc.......

As far as military vs. college, that is a tough one. It comes down to what he wants to do after the military. If he wants to get a degree in film or some other artsy field, then he should stay in school. If he wants to get a degree in a harder, more competitive field, then military will help. The military has mastered the art of teaching people a lot of information fast. Some refer to it as drinking out of a fire hose. They also instill honor, pride, work ethic, RESPONSIBILITY, etc.... These are things your 19 y/o son doesn't have, or at least not on the same level as a military member. These attributes can benefit him in college, should he decide to get out and pursue a degree in a competitive field. Lots of these fields, all you have is your GPA to present to the possible employers. Most college kids these days go by the saying, "Cs get degrees". What they don't realize is employers don't want to hire someone who half-assed their way through college when there is another applicant with a 3.7 GPA sitting right next to him. Not to mention if he plans to go on for a Master's program.

My brother and I are both prior military. We are both seeking degrees that pertain to the medical field (highly competitive). Both of us currently have a 4.0. I know for a fact that if I pursued this degree at the ripe young age of 19, I would of slacked off, partied too much, and not be doing this well. I definitely wouldn't have a competitive enough GPA without having to retake classes. We also are both using the GI Bill. Not sure why you don't believe the statements made about it. It's a pretty set in stone program that has been around for years. They pay 100% tuition (to MOST schools), pay you a housing allowance in the range of $1000 per month, and pay $500 towards books at the beginning of the semester.

Bottom line is the military won't hurt his future, just possibly delay it while bettering it at the same time.

 

My brother and I are both prior military. We are both seeking degrees that pertain to the medical field (highly competitive). Both of us currently have a 4.0. I know for a fact that if I pursued this degree at the ripe young age of 19, I would of slacked off, partied too much, and not be doing this well. I definitely wouldn't have a competitive enough GPA without having to retake classes. We also are both using the GI Bill. Not sure why you don't believe the statements made about it. It's a pretty set in stone program that has been around for years. They pay 100% tuition (to MOST schools), pay you a housing allowance in the range of $1000 per month, and pay $500 towards books at the beginning of the semester.

Bottom line is the military won't hurt his future, just possibly delay it while bettering it at the same time.[/QUOTE]

I agree, been in for 16 years. Carrying a 4.0 in Emergency and Disaster Management. I would not be doing that at 18 - 19 years old.

 

not really non-sense when it comes from a first hand experienced individual, know what I mean? Plus the AF actually isnt getting rid of its dirtbags and such. The voluntary separation program just released all of the volunteers (people who can take their experiences and make lucrative careers on the outside i.e. ATC and pilot training) for separation, in turn saving the lower marking individuals (dirtbags) from being cut. again, just relaying first hand knowledge from a current NCO in the AD AF. All said and done none of that really matters towards the origional question posted. The AF is a good option if your a well adjusted individual, as are most things a well adjusted individual would find themselves considering.

 

If he wants to do cyber security tell him to look in the 1B4X1 AFSC. Currently I think it is prior service applicants only, meaning only people who are in the military can apply, but that is cyber security to a t.

 

When initially mentioned in this thread, people mentioned the "cuts" as a bad thing. Implying that the OP's son could potentially be cut. The voluntary separation does not apply to the OP's son unless he volunteers.

 

The cuts are just like the other branches. The drawbacks mainly consist of Officers(especially low ranking) who don't get a choice, people trying to re-enlist, and some voluntary. They're all also making harsher penalities for offenses which also gets people kicked out.

 

Exactly. This stuff isn't branch specific.
Like I said, the OP doesn't need to worry his son will get cut unless he is a dirtbag/poor performer. If he is a dirt bag (not saying he is OP), and he makes it through his first six years, then there is a chance he won't be allowed to re-enlist. Just like any other job. Just because you joined the military it shouldn't mean a guaranteed slot for life. If you can't hack it, or are a trouble maker, why should an employer keep you around when there is a line of equally qualified people waiting for their chance.

 

Wow you are really something , I'm so impressed Plain 'ol 11b10

 

Joining the AF was the greatest decision of my life. I've been in for 7 1/2 years, working avionics. In this time I have learned about electronics, mechanics, aerospace development, physics, chemistry, acquisition contracts, engineering, how to lead, how to follow, and how to work 12 hours, go home, sleep, wake up, go back for a 21 (yes 21) hour shift, and not bitch about it because I love my job.

All because my parents let me join.


Not everyone is like this. Some hate their job, some love it. Some count down the days until they get out for 2 years. But if he plays it smart, keeps his nose clean, and does something that he wants to do it will be the greatest thing he has ever done.

 

Funny... I get the same thing about the Navy. Now, I don't much care mind you, I am retired so I am collecting my pension with a smile. However... when I served ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ, there were Air Force personnel there, too.

Just saying. Oh, and the people who don't score high enough on the ASVAB to join the AF or Navy have to join the Army.